السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
It’s Wednesday 1st September 2021 corresponding with 23rd Muḥarram 1443 Hijri.
Let’s talk about the Waiter Service today.
After 18 months of lockdown, during which all functions were limited to a maximum of 30 people, as soon as Freedom Day came, we have started catching up on our functions. My message today affects each and every one of us.
One fashion which has become quite common at functions today, especially weddings, is the ‘waiter service’. Let me start with the providers of these waiter services. What measures have you put in place to ensure you safeguard the honour and dignity of the waiters working for you? Moreso, with regards to our sisters.
It puts one to shame when you see the free mixing and intermingling of those who are doing the waitering at the function. Married men and women, as well as singles, who are usually non-Maḥram, talk, joke, laugh and enjoy each other’s company, possibly more than the bride and the groom.
This should not be the case. Waiters and waitresses should be kept completely segregated.
Let the waitresses serve the ladies and the waiters serve the men. This is a very important second point.
We have stooped so low today that, at some functions, waitresses serve men and waiters serve ladies. A recipe for disaster. Then we cry tears of blood when our marriages break up as a result of extramarital relationships, etc.
For those who have family members in these occupations, is this additional income required to support the family, spare cash, or just a pastime or hobby? If it’s not absolutely necessary, then please avoid this job. Stay at home and look after your children, parents and the elderly.
Regardless of whatever occupation you are in, please, please, please, keep Islamic Teachings at the forefront of your mind, at all times. Intermingling of the sexes is not allowed. Almost without exception, waiters and waitresses have no regard for this beautiful Islamic Teaching, at all.
Finally, do not for one moment think that you will be able to protect yourself from temptations and desires. Far from it. I know of so many families that are distressed and virtually broken due to family members having affairs, or maintaining illicit contacts, etc.
If this ‘waiter service’ is not controlled, managed and delivered in line with Islamic teachings, then we are looking for trouble. Although this article focuses on one particular occupation, this message applies universally to all jobs and settings, whether home, work, social, or other.
May The Almighty give us all the correct guidance and protect us all from the actions that become a means of displeasing Him, Āmeen.
Please let this message of mine go viral. If it saves one disaster, then it will be well worth it, اِنْ شَاءَ الَّلهُ.
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
Request for Du’ās
وَالسَّلَامُ Hanif Dudhwala